Peru-sing Greatness

Ancient and formidable, magnificently framed by the soaring peaks of the Andes and often submerged in the early morning haze or sun-speared through rolling mountains of clouds, Machu Picchu is a true wonder of the world.

It deservedly sits atop countless travelers’ bucket list. But this mystic stronghold is just one of Peru’s many treasures.

From its serpentine coastline and snow-tipped hilltops to its mist-shrouded rainforests and undulating deserts, Peru is a natural kaleidoscope. The country is one of the most eco-diverse in the world, home to over 250 protected natural areas, 15 national parks, upward of 3,500 varieties of orchids, and enough birds to keep an ornithologist cross-eyed for months trying to count them all.

Toss in a mix of friendly residents, engaging cities, Incan history and archaeology, 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a growing reputation for worldclass cuisine, and you have a destination that can wow visitors of all types.

The Star Attraction

Machu Picchu, like only a handful of other truly world-class attractions—Iguazu Falls, Uluru, and Mount Fuji all come to mind—exceeds all expectations. Built by the Incas in the mid-15th century roughly 7,900 feet above sea level, the sacred site was abandoned after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire 100 years later and hidden from the world for centuries in a thick blanket of mist and jungle until revealed to the world by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.

The fortress is a baffling wonder of human accomplishment and a masterpiece of structural engineering. The Incas had to arduously transport massive stone slabs up the mountainside, then piece them together without mortar so precisely that not even the thinnest knife blade could fit between them. The architectural artistry is especially apparent as the swirling clouds part above the peak of Huayna Picchu mountain and allow golden slivers of morning light to strike the Intihuatana, a stone monolith called “the hitching post of the sun.”

Visitors to Machu Picchu primarily arrive by rail or foot. While several train services will whisk you from Cusco to nearby Aguas Caliente, the Hiram Bingham train is the most memorable. Its blue and gold carriages, with elegant interiors reflecting the 1920s Pullman era, seat 84 passengers and include two sophisticated dining cars. Departing at a leisurely 9 a.m. (compared to the 6 a.m. start of other services), the train arrives at Machu Picchu shortly after noon, when many visitors are already beginning to leave; it returns at sundown, serving cocktails and a four-course, South American-inspired dinner during the descent.

Many travelers prefer to trek up the Inca Trail, turning the hike into a pilgrimage of sorts. This four-day, 25-mile trek begins near the village of Piscacucho at kilometer 82 and winds through cloud forest, lush jungles, and high mountain passes before reaching the Sun Gate for an extraordinary first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

Once you pay the entrance fee (which changes depending on the route you employ), there are dozens of individual sites to explore—the Temple of the Moon, the Temple of the Sun, and Sacred Rock for starters. However, as atmospherically high as you are at this special moment, it pays to go higher. You can hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, both worthy of the extra cost, to gaze down at the magnificent ruins surrounded by the cloud-busting spires of the Andes. It’s a view you won’t forget.

Sacred Side Adventures

While in Cusco, venture out on day trips to discover more treasures of the surrounding Sacred Valley, including the Ollantaytambo ruins. Roughly 90 minutes from the city, this former Incan Empire stronghold is today one of its best-preserved sites. Here, the Incans successfully repelled the gold-fevered Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century—a temporary victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Outside of Ollantaytambo, the Salt Mines of Maras make for a surreal sight. Numerous geometric salt pools cascade down a hillside valley to form an alien landscape that looks like the ruins of a giant beehive. This site was originally installed by the Incans in the 1400s, and the system of evaporating pools to obtain salt still functions.

Capital Life

As visitors flocked to Machu Picchu, Lima once was often left off Peruvian travel itineraries, but that has changed. In the last few decades, Peru’s capital has transformed into a flourishing metropolis, with a revitalized colonial center and colorful, boutique neighborhoods. At the heart of this upgrade is Lima’s emerging status as a global capital of gastronomy, warranting travel solely for its sublime eats. A culinary showcase of Peru’s wildly varied topographies and cultures, Lima is now rife with creative chefs serving exotic, savory items such as choclo (an extra-large corn kernel), paiche (a large freshwater fish), and cocona (Amazon tomatoes), landing top accolades for a number of the city’s establishments.

Ideally, you want two full days to savor Lima’s culinary offerings and explore the city’s highlights, starting with the Malecón de Miraflores. This cliffside boardwalk is perfect for ambling, people watching, easy bicycle rides, or, for the adventurous, paragliding. If you prefer to keep both feet on the ground, instead stroll through the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco and over its famous “Bridge of Sighs,” enjoy the whimsical sculpture garden at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, or introduce yourself to Peruvian hairless dogs—a nearly extinct breed revitalized for its cultural significance and sent to live at archeological sites across the country—while touring the giant clay pyramid Huaca Pucllana.

Natural Sights

Peru is teeming with natural treasures. Let’s begin with Islas Ballestas, affectionately called the Peruvian Galápagos, just a 30-minute boat ride from the beachfront city Paracas. Islas Ballestas comprise rocky islands edged by wind-cut granite arches and packed with Humboldt penguins, red-billed Inca terns, and sea lions. A bonus highlight of this region is the Paracas Candelabra, a massive and mysterious ancient candlestick etched into the side of a bluff for reasons unknown. It’s reminiscent of the famed Nazca Lines, a series of giant shapes and figures carved into the rust-red ground in the high desert of southern Peru.

There is no mystery surrounding Colca Canyon and why it will make your jaw drop. A geological wonder in southern Peru near Arequipa, this jagged fissure carves out a space twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Colca is a heavenly haven for hikers of all skill levels, and those intrepid trekkers will need to be on the lookout for the canyon’s most famous residents: Andean condors. These mammoth birds, with wingspans up to 9 feet across, soar next to the canyon walls, gliding with eerie majesty on thermal uplifts that swell from the canyon floors below.

Wildlife along Peruvian Amazonia is smaller but just as fascinating. The river area is an ambush of the senses: scarlet macaws streak across the skies in raucous gangs, pink river dolphins dart playfully through the waters, small alligator-like caimans skulk nonchalantly along the fern-prickled riverbanks, and sloths and monkeys cling to branches overhead, their wide eyes curiously watching your transit.

Incredible wildlife, ancient cultural treasures, vibrant cities, and world-class cuisine—that’s Peru. For most, it all starts with a dream to visit Machu Picchu. But don’t stop there if you want the full experience of this phenomenal country.